Jain Journal 2010 07

Author(s): Satyaranjan Banerjee
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 33

Rupendra Kumar Chattopadhyay: Jaina Antiquities
frame, miniature figures of twenty-four Tirthařkaras arranged in four vertical rows of three each on either side of the mula-nāyaka are depicted. Like the principal image, they also stand in kāyotsarga posture on a plain pedestal and their respective lāñchanas are carved at the centre of their thrones. The recessed portion of the back slab reveals a cross -- bar on which are triangular plaques embellished with kumbhas placed one above the other from which pallavas emerge in a triangular shape. Stylistically, the image may
be assignable to c. 11th century AD. 2. The second specimen (of Risabhanātha) is also made of the same
stone as the previous one and measures 155 cm x 65 cm (Pl. 2). The image is badly eroded. In this image the Jina is in kāyotsarga and samapadasthānaka postures and stands on a full blown lotus placed on a pañca-ratha pedestal.The centre of the pedestal has a bull, the lāñchana of the mula-nāyaka, placed between two crouching lions and flanked by a male and a female devotee kneeling in namaskāra mudrā. The principle Jina wears an inelegant jatājuta with keśavallari falling down the side of its head and over the shoulders. An ovoidal siraścakra embellished with rows of beads and leaves at the edge has been carved. Above it is a trilinear chatra, slightly damaged, and flanked by Vidyadharas hovering in the conventional representation of clouds. In this image, both the hands of the Jina hang paralled to the body and the finger tips touch the thigh of the Jina. The legs are separated by a seemingly paralled distance, On either side of the mula-nāyaka stand sensitively modelled camaradharas with their left hands in katyavalambita posture and the right hands holding a fly-whisk. They stand on a lotus placed on the same pedestal. The mulanāyaka is placed against the background of a distinctly carved temple. The remaining part of the back slab is decorated with
some miniature shrines. 3. The third specimen (of Risabhāntha) is similar to the others. It is